How important is it to know how to use the club standard CDJ setup? I'm torn

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How important is it to know how to use the club standard CDJ setup? I'm torn
Posted on: 14.02.2013 by Maude Milesky
I am just about to start playing two gigs as I have a few open invitations. The reason I havent played yet is because I recently broke my VCI-100 and IMO I never thought of it a serious DJ controller. So now I am in the market for a new, higher quality, DJ setup.

At the club I will play at they use the classic CDJ-2000's & DJM-900 and the second club is more like "DJ battle" style where you bring your own gear.
Im feel like im pretty proficient in Traktor and I love the possibilities it allows but I don't like the idea of a vibe killing computer screen and a SYNC button. I believe having a comp screen between you and the crowd is like trying to have a conversation with somebody preoccupied with texting on their phone.

I've haven't had much experience with CDJ's and would like to be able to use the club CDJ setup without having to rely on traktor and my software. On the other hand, I can throw down harder in a DJ battle using traktors and an s4 or something. There are some features that I frequently use in traktor that cant be replicated with the CDJ's that are in my price range. (I already have a mixer)

So Im wondering how big of a deal is it if I can't use the standard CDJ setup if?
Jerica Salava
16.02.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Basically, most "DJs" these days started on CDJs. I started on Vinyl, then skipped CDJs entirely and went straight to Traktor; a CDJ is basically a cut-down, shitty laptop without effects. It doesn't even have moving platters. I understand the appeal when they're your ONLY alternative to carting vinyl + turntables to every set, like back in the early 2000s, but nowadays there really is no excuse for using them.

The exception to this, of course, is the Denon series with moving platters, but even then you're STILL going to need a proper MIDI controller like an X1 or one of Behringer's new line to control your effects, samples and hotcues.
A wise man you are ^ +1

>
Doreen Schurle
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
Most mixers that you'd use with a pair of decent CDJs will have FX built in. There still is no alternative that comes close to the convenience of just bringing music on a few CDs or USB sticks; add to that the reliability of a CDJ over a laptop or turntables and you see why they are the standard in clubs and will be for some time to come.
Personally I prefer flexibility to convenience... plus I wouldn't use someone else's gear for a serious set; the chances of something going wrong is far too high, especially on battered club gear.
Doreen Schurle
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by D-Kem
Did I read somewhere in this thread that CDJ's were the traditional method?!
I'm sure a direct drive spinning platter preceded these.
Basically, most "DJs" these days started on CDJs. I started on Vinyl, then skipped CDJs entirely and went straight to Traktor; a CDJ is basically a cut-down, shitty laptop without effects. It doesn't even have moving platters. I understand the appeal when they're your ONLY alternative to carting vinyl + turntables to every set, like back in the early 2000s, but nowadays there really is no excuse for using them.

The exception to this, of course, is the Denon series with moving platters, but even then you're STILL going to need a proper MIDI controller like an X1 or one of Behringer's new line to control your effects, samples and hotcues.
Alphonso Deitchman
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
learn to use the cdj's, there is a connection you will get with your audience, that you just cant get with software.
You can get the same connection simply by putting your laptop somewhere out of the way, rather than in front of your face.
Jerica Salava
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
learn to use the cdj's, there is a connection you will get with your audience, that you just cant get with software.
"everybody get your troll on, everybody get your mother f%king troll on !"
Christiana Ercolani
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
If you are using the CDJ 900, 2000, or 2000 Nexus, they can link together through Ethernet allowing you to use just 1 USB stick.
Word, I figured there was something like that going on. Thanks.
Alphonso Deitchman
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by elmgroove
Not to derail this thread, but just a quick question about CDJs (I only have experience with vinyl and controllers): do you only need one USB stick and then both CDJs can read the music off of that? Or do you need a USB for each CDJ unit?
If you are using the CDJ 900, 2000, or 2000 Nexus, they can link together through Ethernet allowing you to use just 1 USB stick.
Jerica Salava
16.02.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Basically, most "DJs" these days started on CDJs. I started on Vinyl, then skipped CDJs entirely and went straight to Traktor; a CDJ is basically a cut-down, shitty laptop without effects. It doesn't even have moving platters. I understand the appeal when they're your ONLY alternative to carting vinyl + turntables to every set, like back in the early 2000s, but nowadays there really is no excuse for using them.

The exception to this, of course, is the Denon series with moving platters, but even then you're STILL going to need a proper MIDI controller like an X1 or one of Behringer's new line to control your effects, samples and hotcues.
A wise man you are ^ +1

>
Dirk Veasman
15.02.2013		Good point about gear that can't be moved or there is no where to move it to. I always bring a keyboard stand and a shelf to put my controller, and laptop on. I have it set up to it's full height so I am the same level or a bit higher than whatever the venue's gear is set on. If you can't move their stuff, make sure to bring something to put yours on.

Now there are some snobs in my state who won't book you if you use a controller. But they will book you if you are a producer who uses a controller because they feel you are more worthy of respect. Nice.
Doreen Schurle
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
Most mixers that you'd use with a pair of decent CDJs will have FX built in. There still is no alternative that comes close to the convenience of just bringing music on a few CDs or USB sticks; add to that the reliability of a CDJ over a laptop or turntables and you see why they are the standard in clubs and will be for some time to come.
Personally I prefer flexibility to convenience... plus I wouldn't use someone else's gear for a serious set; the chances of something going wrong is far too high, especially on battered club gear.
Alphonso Deitchman
15.02.2013		Most mixers that you'd use with a pair of decent CDJs will have FX built in. There still is no alternative that comes close to the convenience of just bringing music on a few CDs or USB sticks; add to that the reliability of a CDJ over a laptop or turntables and you see why they are the standard in clubs and will be for some time to come.
Doreen Schurle
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by D-Kem
Did I read somewhere in this thread that CDJ's were the traditional method?!
I'm sure a direct drive spinning platter preceded these.
Basically, most "DJs" these days started on CDJs. I started on Vinyl, then skipped CDJs entirely and went straight to Traktor; a CDJ is basically a cut-down, shitty laptop without effects. It doesn't even have moving platters. I understand the appeal when they're your ONLY alternative to carting vinyl + turntables to every set, like back in the early 2000s, but nowadays there really is no excuse for using them.

The exception to this, of course, is the Denon series with moving platters, but even then you're STILL going to need a proper MIDI controller like an X1 or one of Behringer's new line to control your effects, samples and hotcues.
Lauretta Ehrhorn
15.02.2013		Did I read somewhere in this thread that CDJ's were the traditional method?!
I'm sure a direct drive spinning platter preceded these.
Jerica Salava
15.02.2013		DJ Pauly D's #1 talent is his ability to "connect" with the audience. Unfortunately his #2 talent is sucking at being a DJ.
Alphonso Deitchman
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
learn to use the cdj's, there is a connection you will get with your audience, that you just cant get with software.
You can get the same connection simply by putting your laptop somewhere out of the way, rather than in front of your face.
Jerica Salava
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by 031999
learn to use the cdj's, there is a connection you will get with your audience, that you just cant get with software.
"everybody get your troll on, everybody get your mother f%king troll on !"
Dione Haimes
15.02.2013		plus i scratch and 'cut' a bit, and doing that on an s4 is fucking murder.
Dione Haimes
15.02.2013		Yes.
Shouldn't need an explanation,
the more gear you know how to use the better equipped you are,
if you get CDJ900s or something, you can use them as CDJs, but also controller mode if your that anal about staying on traktor.

Personally i dont see the 'buzz' for traktor, most things can be done in a quick ableton edit and stuck on a CD.
I do own traktor for functions though, saves me carrying about CDs with 80/90/00/charty stuff on them that i only ever use 4 or 5 times a year.
Lannie Kutay
16.02.2013		learn to use the cdj's, there is a connection you will get with your audience, that you just cant get with software.
Sonja Roybal
15.02.2013		I believe versatility is important. You should at least be familiar with all formats. If you're lucky enough to play out a lot, you'll be playing on all kinds of different set ups. Also, if you know how to mix, you know how to mix. You don't have to necessarily practice on every format. I don't like playing on cdj's, but I can. I remember the first time I touched one was while playing out. There was a problem with one of the 1200s and I had to play on one TT and one cdj. After a while I got used to it, but playing on a cdj was tough because their was no visual cue like grooves or a waveform. This was probably 10 years ago when cdj's didn't have much of a display.
Jerica Salava
15.02.2013		Learn to use CDJ's. It should be part of being a DJ 101. Although in my opinion I believe they are garbage and obsolete, they are the standard and you should be able to step into a booth and know what your doing.

>
Christiana Ercolani
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
If you are using the CDJ 900, 2000, or 2000 Nexus, they can link together through Ethernet allowing you to use just 1 USB stick.
Word, I figured there was something like that going on. Thanks.
Alphonso Deitchman
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by elmgroove
Not to derail this thread, but just a quick question about CDJs (I only have experience with vinyl and controllers): do you only need one USB stick and then both CDJs can read the music off of that? Or do you need a USB for each CDJ unit?
If you are using the CDJ 900, 2000, or 2000 Nexus, they can link together through Ethernet allowing you to use just 1 USB stick.
Christiana Ercolani
15.02.2013		Not to derail this thread, but just a quick question about CDJs (I only have experience with vinyl and controllers): do you only need one USB stick and then both CDJs can read the music off of that? Or do you need a USB for each CDJ unit?
Oretha Afful
15.02.2013		Just learn how to use them It will make your life easier. They're really not hard to use. Except for that whole pesky beatmatching thing you have to do. lol
Event then all you have to do is set the numbers on each side to the same number and you're beatmatched.

Besides showing up to a club with just a USB and headphones is pretty awesome.
Nereida Jasnoch
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
It isn't. Even slightly.
But holy shit, how easy is it once you know CDJs !
It will save you so much hassle.
+ the risk that your own gear breaks is so much higher at a gig than at home.

I can only recommend learing CDJs, but I would advise against buying your own CDJs.
Alphonso Deitchman
15.02.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
It isn't. Even slightly.

The only time you're going to have issues with this is if their gear isn't removable; I've had some evening mares where venues have practically had their gear nailed down or non-removable cabling routed through tiny spaces with no slack, making moving stuff out of the way impossible.
If you're playing at a club with CDJ 2000s + DJM900, don't expect to be allowed to "move them out of the way". If there's room for your controller then fine you can bring it. You know what gear will be there, not anyone else on the community .

It's really easy to hook up CDJ 2000s to Traktor by the way, making them much easier to use than the traditional standalone CDJ 1000s for someone that's used to controllers.
Emerson Crist
14.02.2013		I was in the same position as you.

Bottom line, dont worry about knowing exactly how to use the mixer and CDJs. At least not to the point of buying the same setup. A DJ setup consists of a mixer and two players (turntables/CDJs/tape decks, etc). If you know how to use a mixer, then youre well off on pretty much every mixer you come across.

I pretty much have a mindset of, 25% of the time, youll be playing on "industry standard" gear . 65% of the time, youll be on your own gear . 10% of the time, youll be on your friends gear . The stats change depending on how seasoned you are obviously.

Your setup should be just that. Your setup. You should be comfortable with your gear. No point in investing a Pioneer DJM 900 if you only mix 2 tracks at a time. Not a huge deal to know "the feel" of the CDJ 2000 encoder knobs.

All mixers consist of audio inputs, faders, and an EQ. All CD players consist of USB inputs, Cue/Play buttons, and a navigation system of your files. Theres nothing that should phase you when you look at one CDJ to another CDJ.

Now I know that there are differences between some models, but the basic principle for all of them is the same.

For me, I use a Rane 62 with serato, two technics, and an iPad for The Bridge. Im comfortable with this setup for a few reasons.
I mostly play D&B, I rarely mix more than two tracks at a time. I dont need 26 FX available to me if I dont use them. I like to scratch when im mixing as well and this mixer is more than capable for that.

Again, use and buy what you need and what youre comfortable with. Think about your play style. Think long term as well. Again, believe for YOU! Dont let mass marketing tell you what to buy.
Doreen Schurle
14.02.2013
How important is it to know how to use the club standard CDJ setup?
It isn't. Even slightly.

The only time you're going to have issues with this is if their gear isn't removable; I've had some evening mares where venues have practically had their gear nailed down or non-removable cabling routed through tiny spaces with no slack, making moving stuff out of the way impossible.

In one situation I simply had to walk away from the evening because it was the most asinine setup I've ever seen, and the management just didn't give a crap. In every other situation when dealing with the club's own gear, I've simply moved it out of the way and set up my own. The best tip I can give you is to use modular controllers, so if you're forced to use the club's built-in mixer, you can set them up either side of it, plug in, and then you're ready to go. That's why I bought the Reloop Contours, although the Behringer PL-1 with an external soundcard would be a good option too.
Stanley Topoleski
14.02.2013		i personally believe its very important, weather you use them or not. some places will only have CDJ setups available some places will allow you to bring gear, but most importantly its always good to learn the traditional system...
Ninfa Mazariegos
14.02.2013		Depends on the club and where you are located. In St.Louis, cdjs are rare. Most bring their own gear and usually it's controllers or dvs if there is room for turntables.
Lannie Kutay
14.02.2013		just hook up the cdj's to your laptop, that is why pioneer intergrated HID control...
Maude Milesky
14.02.2013		^ I can just hook up my controller....is the hassle of switching to my controller worth it for the price?
Alphonso Deitchman
14.02.2013		If you can't use a standard CDJ setup you won't be able to play at the club with CDJs. Is that a big deal to you?

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